Eliminating food waste by making every bite count

The Issue

Every year, Iraq throws away around six million tons of food, much of it still perfectly edible. In restaurants alone, about 25 tons per year go to waste due to large portions, over-ordering, and a culture of generosity that, while well-meaning, is becoming unsustainable. At the same time, one in four Iraqis lives below the poverty line, and many families struggle to put food on the table.

This waste not only deepens inequality but also harms the environment, contributing to pollution and climate change.

The Project

With funding from DCA’s Innovation Fund, DCA Iraq has partnered with Five One Labs, in startup incubator, for the launch of a new initiative in Erbil, connecting restaurants, cafes, and supermarkets with surplus food to people who need it – at reduced prices or through community kitchens. The aim is to reduce food waste in Erbil while helping vulnerable communities access affordable meals.

Five One Labs has supported the creation of a local startup or group that collects surplus food from restaurants, cafes, and supermarkets and redistributes it at discounted prices.

The project makes it easy for people to find and reserve food that would otherwise go to waste, by exploring technological and non-technological solutions.

The project will also run awareness campaigns to educate the public about food waste and involve communities in preparing and sharing meals. Starting in a few districts, the initiative will be tested and refined before expanding to more areas, with the goal of building a solution to hunger and waste.

The Change

Instead of letting surplus food from restaurants and supermarkets go to waste, the project redirects it to people in need – making meals more affordable and accessible for vulnerable families. It also helps local businesses reduce waste and encourages the community to think differently about food and sustainability.

The Partner

Five One Labs is an international startup incubator that helps talented entrepreneurs from diverse communities launch their startups.

Through an innovative multi-lingual programming, Five One Labs provides intensive training, mentorship, funding, and advisory support to scalable startups looking to launch or grow their businesses.